I don't think you're going to find any shocks at your local auto parts chain store for this car. The size has been obsolete for years. The least expensive route I know of is the budget KYB brand shocks that Delta is selling. The rear ones will raise the car somewhat, so the KYB's are not an exact replacement by any stretch.

The Bilstein shocks in the club store are custom fabricated to fit the JH, which is one reason they cost what they do.

Try the KYB KG5552 from the '83 to '85 Toyota Celica with solid rear axle. The car weighs a few hundred pounds more than the JH but IIRC the length is correct. Use at your own risk since the valving is not for a JH.

The shocks fit fine. Took me maybe an hour to install them both. What a difference! I didn't realize how bad the old ones were. MUCHO smoother ride and improved handling in the corners. Berry Berry nice.

I am waiting for two pairs of KYB's to arrive, KG5501's for the front and KG5552's for the rear. I will post how the installation goes but, as I have the whole front subframe pulled out (new ball joints and bushings), it may be a while. Also have all new bushings to put in the rear.

I bought mine from Shock Warehouse. Cheaper on Amazon but Shock Warehouse had free shipping.

I was working on fitting the front ones today.

For the lower end it seems that if you press out the steel bushing from your old shock it is a good fit in the new one and should be all that is needed. The rubber bushing seems a little wider in the new one, and may need to be trimmed a little, but I think it will compress.

For the upper end, to replace the "T" piece, I am going to take the bushing pressed out of the old shock and make a spacer (approximately 0.535" long) to go on each side of the new shock's bushing. Seems relatively simple and could be done with a hack saw and a file in a few minutes.

It's hard to believe it's been three years since I posted the note about Monroe shocks. I finally pried my wallet open and picked up a set for both front and back on Friday. Seemed to be time to replace the original ones from 1973

The rears went in easily with no modifications and took about an hour. The front required about an hour for each side. The longest part was removing the old bushings to be reused in the new shocks. The bottom pressed out in a vise and the top came out with a hacksaw (eventually).

Steve..when you replace the front shocks, do you need a spring compressor to remove the spring ? Was considering doing springs and shocks but got intimidated after reading the shop manual instructions where it says to use a compressor.